Carbon buld up on tail pipe - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

jhall1957 · 01-02-2013, 04:22 PM

I've had my 1M just over a year now and I drive it mainly on nice, clear days. I have taken it on track several times and I drive it fairly hard but most of it is around town stuff.

The other day I looked at the tail pipe and there is a fair amount of carbon build up around the tips.

I don't wash the car much cause it never gets dirty, so I haven't scrubbed them ever. The car has just over 6,000 miles on it.

Does it need to be driven more? Harder? Or do I just need to scrub the pipes some?

lcrain · 01-02-2013, 04:42 PM

I wash my car every 10 days or so, and I make sure to give the tail pipes attention every time. I use Adams "All purpose cleaner" to clean the chrome tips, though I am sure any metal cleaner will do the trick. Just spray a bit on a microfiber and get that buildup off. The tips look so much better when clean.

Smiley1175 · 01-02-2013, 07:47 PM

You need to clean your pipes more often!

Being BSM, it doesn't take long to get dirty so I wash my car every 2 weeks and it just takes a rag and the remaining soapy water from the bucket and the carbon build up comes off easily. It's the last part of the car I wash.
I don't use any other cleaners.

Dan Parker · 01-02-2013, 08:05 PM

You need to find a good woman...

Pig Farmer · 01-02-2013, 09:09 PM

^Nice!

But seriously, use a rag you can throw away and don't get the carbon on your hands. While you can easily wipe it off the exhaust, the carbon sticks to wet skin and is nearly impossible to clean off.

E30 Racer · 01-03-2013, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

^Nice!

But seriously, use a rag you can throw away and don't get the carbon on your hands. While you can easily wipe it off the exhaust, the carbon sticks to wet skin and is nearly impossible to clean off.

I'd be careful about what you use to clean the tips. Use of excessively dirty towels (cotton or microfiber) or paper towels may scratch the surface. They won't be deep, but are entirely preventable.

Wear gloves if you're afraid of getting your paws dirty, but even if you don't, it's not hard to clean up afterwards (not sure what Pig Farmer is talking about).

Dan Parker · 01-03-2013, 06:59 AM

Spray some simple green on them, slam a shot or 3, then wipe with a paper towel, job done. Party time.

01-02-2013, 04:22 PM	#1
jhall1957 Private First Class Drives: '11 X5d, '11 1M,Spec E30 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WS,NC Posts: 152 iTrader: (1)	Carbon buld up on tail pipe I've had my 1M just over a year now and I drive it mainly on nice, clear days. I have taken it on track several times and I drive it fairly hard but most of it is around town stuff. The other day I looked at the tail pipe and there is a fair amount of carbon build up around the tips. I don't wash the car much cause it never gets dirty, so I haven't scrubbed them ever. The car has just over 6,000 miles on it. Does it need to be driven more? Harder? Or do I just need to scrub the pipes some?
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01-02-2013, 08:05 PM	#4
Dan Parker Major Drives: 2012 Golf R Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,364 iTrader: (0)	You need to find a good woman... __________________ Dan Parker

01-03-2013, 06:59 AM	#7
Dan Parker Major Drives: 2012 Golf R Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,364 iTrader: (0)	Spray some simple green on them, slam a shot or 3, then wipe with a paper towel, job done. Party time. __________________ Dan Parker

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01-02-2013, 04:42 PM	#2
lcrain Captain Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 739 iTrader: (1)	I wash my car every 10 days or so, and I make sure to give the tail pipes attention every time. I use Adams "All purpose cleaner" to clean the chrome tips, though I am sure any metal cleaner will do the trick. Just spray a bit on a microfiber and get that buildup off. The tips look so much better when clean.

01-02-2013, 07:47 PM	#3
Smiley1175 Lieutenant Drives: 1M Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 501 iTrader: (0)	You need to clean your pipes more often! Being BSM, it doesn't take long to get dirty so I wash my car every 2 weeks and it just takes a rag and the remaining soapy water from the bucket and the carbon build up comes off easily. It's the last part of the car I wash. I don't use any other cleaners.

01-02-2013, 09:09 PM	#5
Pig Farmer Lieutenant Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 488 iTrader: (0)	^Nice! But seriously, use a rag you can throw away and don't get the carbon on your hands. While you can easily wipe it off the exhaust, the carbon sticks to wet skin and is nearly impossible to clean off.